POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 242, 9 July 1938, Page 8 (Supplement)

POULTRY NOTES

Disease In Young Chickens

SOME FAMILIAR EARLY TROUBLES

(Bt

NEW LAID.)

Commenting on what he considered the most common causes of loss from disease during the first three weeks when rearing young chickens, the well-known English authority, Dr. H. F Bayon, says that when heavy losses are experienced in the brooders the poultryman usually concludes that bacillary white diarrhoea is the cause, and proceeds to weaken the survivors, or even kill them off by adding some crude disinfectant to the drinking water. This, he adds, is perfectly useless, even if the disease were B. n A)., but it certainly most harmful to the digestion if the death of the chickens is due to some’ .cause other than white-scour. The most common lesion ■ met in the first three weeks, according to Dr. Bayon, is.a persistent soft yolk; a chicken with a large, soft, unabsorbed yolk in it's inside cannot possibly live. TJie reason is that a chick with an unabsorbed yolk ia born deformed and under-nourished, and will soon be killed by the first uu " favourable circumstance it meets. -As to the cause of these persistent yolks, they are usually due to some disturbance during incubation, irregular heating, lack of heat, moisture or ventilation. The unabsorbed yolks may be infected; in such cases the yolk will be found to be dirty yellow, or even rotten. The bacteria by themselves do not usually’cause the yolk to be unabsorhed, but occur because the persistent yolk gives them a chance to multiply. Sometimes the cause lies further back, and can be traced to some mistake of management or feeding of the dam; but, whatever the cause, such chicks will soon die. At times only a very small yolk is left over, and then the chick may reach five or six weeks of age, and then death occurs as the outcome of the bowels sticking together because of irritation set up by the lasting yolk; the bowels cannot function, and a complete stoppage of digestion will take place.

Congestion of the Lungs. A frequent lesion found in week-old ehicks is congested lungs. This is usually taken to mean that the chicks have been chilled. The remarkable thing is that when chicks stray into the open, and are exposed to bad weather and die from cold, the lesions are much more often seen in the liver and kidneys; moreover, their gizzard and bowels are empty. In reality, the congested lungs in brooders are frequently enough the outcome of defective ventilation in the brooder, and in the majority of instances this is accompanied by overheating, not underheating. Any poultryman who cares to make sure in these matters, peed only to purchase a so-called maxima and minima thermometer —that is, one that leaves behind a sign of the highest temperature reached. By placing it in the hover, it will be seen that, if ventilation is defective, for by huddling close to the lamp at night the chicks may get the temperature up to 110 deg. Fahr., which is too high, and results in the chicks gasping for breath, huddling closer and being suffocated; and the suffocated chicks show congested lungs. Lack of ventilation is made worse by overcrowding, and this again is often followed by death in several chicks by a blocked gizzard. The appearances of this con'dition consist in a gizzard so overfilled and distended that it cannot function. .It is forgotten that on range chicks eat a great deal of “ballast,” and, in addition, take u great deal of exercise in the open air to shake the food’ down. Tn a brooder where exercise ia limited and the air, if anything, overheated, much less, not more, food would be required. Instead, the food trough is at times either kept constantly filled or never closed down. Closing down of hoppers must, however, be done with caution and regularity, or cannibalism will result. The pernicious statement that a growing chick cannot overfeed is not practical; chicks cap and do overfeed, with bad results. Even when chicks survive these overloaded gizzards and flystems they will grow up with weak digestions—that is, flabby gizzards and pale, dilated bowels. Those can also develop from the misuse of salts; but in any case the regulation of feeding in intensively reared chicks requires careful attention. Leaving the troughs open all the time, and also not providing sufficient trough space because of overcrowding, will cause some chicks to die of acute indigestion and others to grow up .with ruined bowels, bad feathering and soft bonep.

Dealing With B.W.D. Next in order of frequency, infections with bacteria of the Salmonella pullorum group, do occur, and ehieke die at any age from four to five days to a fortnight, showing daffodil-yellow or pale, mottled livers, pale and yet somewhat enlarged spleens; the bowels empty, filled with a whitish content, the vent soiled with dry droppings, and the kidneys pale; heart is usually pale and the lungs are congested, and may show white spots of dead tissues (necrosis). However, it is advisable to make sure by culture, because doubtful lesions do occur, and at times the bacteria are present and causing trouble without very definite lesions.’

Supposing the cause of mortality has been ascertained to bo 8.W.D., what then? It is often advised to kill,off the lot, disinfect the hovers and start afresh. I do not think such drastic measures are necessary, not only because, if the hovers are kept clean and not crowded, B.W.D. will not spread to all chicks, but moreover, among those coming unscathed through outbreak, there are certainly some that arc resistant to the disease, and, as such, particularly valuable. Therefore, my advice is to. pick out any chicks that appear to be moping and ill-deve-loped, and keep only the best. These should be got out into the open on a good run as soon as possible, say. at three to five weeks. At the end o[ three months or so, survivors. should be blood-tested, and any reactors either killed or certainly not employed for breeding purposes.

The above are the principal ailments I have found to cause death and, or later, disablement in ehicks up to three weeks of age.

Feed Value of Mangels. While mangel-wurzel possess no particular virtue as a food for fowls, the birds relish them, and there appears to be no harm in feeding mangels. They contain nearly 'JO per cent water, and are very deficient in mineral matter, and also in vitamin ‘’A.” It has been suggested in some quarters that the excessive feeding of . mangels causes infertility, due.to their high magnesium content, but evidence to confirm this has not been produced so fur. Sale of Unstamped Preserved Eggs. According to the Sale of Food and Drugs Act. eggs for sale which have been preserved by "water glass" or other chemical substance must have stamped on the shell in indelible ink in bold capital letters the word "Preserved.”. In spite of this regulation, it is stated that following representations on this matter by .the New Zealand Poultry Board, the Health Department recently found that unstamped preserved eggs were being sold more or less generally throughout the Dominion. As a result, retailers have been warned that the regulation must be observed, and the Department's inspectors have been instructed to give special attention to the sale of preserved eggs and see that the regulation is strictly enforced. Answers fo Correspondents. “Very Worried.” Alarderton: It is difficult to suggest a reason for 'he birds refusing the sound musji you put before them in the morning. You do not mention the number of birds or the quantity of fowl given night and morning, but apparently the birds are in good condition or they would not have come through the moult so satisfactorily ar to have commenced laying again. No liens that are not well housed and fed would be producing at the present time If the birds, when handled, show a good average weight for their breed, there should lie

no doubt that they are getting all the nourishment they require. J.S., Wellington: The length of time an egg can be held before it is placed in an incubator varies according to the condition under which the eggs are stored. How long they may be kept is best answered by stating that eggs gradually deteriorate when stored, and even under the most favourable conditions the deterioration is rapid after the first ten days. Experience has proved that the quality of chickens from eggs stored for a lengthy period is inferior to that of chicks from fresh eggs.

The Feeding Of Greenstuff. It does not matter what time of the day greenfeed alone is fed, but when fed with a dusting of mash, birds will be most likely to eat it around midday.’says “Poultry” giving some advice to beginners on the feeding of greenstuff. Laige* leaf greens like woug-bok and spinach can be fed whole, but greenfeed that would leave any stalks and ribs of leaves, like cabbage and cauliflower, is best fed chopped. unless remains are regularly gathered up. When only a few fowls are being fed, large leaves of greenfeed may be put in a wire-netting basket on the fence for the fowls to peck at, or it may be hung up (but not for them to jump for) for best results. Small plots, ot greenfeed may also be grown under ■wirenetting screens, and the fowls allowed to peck at it as it grows through the nettlnit is not advisable to allow fowls to run on a small greenfeed patch, as they soil and beat down more than they eat; the same thing applies to greenfeed growing in yards, which cannot be depended on to supply greenfeed for more than a few days. .. , . A good daiiv allowance of greenteed is 71b. per TOO head; some fowls eat more when they are accustomed to receiving large quantities, but the amount supplied must not vary much from day to day or e gg-p r oduction will be affected. In the summer, when greenfeed is cut in advance, care must be exercised that it does not beat;. in winter, greenfeed cut with frost on it will cause diarrhoea. When lucernemeal is used as a substitute for greenfeed it should not be scalded ; but lucerne chaff would be the better for soaking in warm water until soft, prior to feeding. The average consumption of both these two forms of dried lucerne is seldom more than lib. per 80 fowls.’ Grain soaked in water for 24 hours and then spread out on trays in a thin layer for about four days and allowedto sprout, gives a green shoot about 4in. long; these shoots are good greenfed, but the roots of the grain so mat together that the fowls cannot cat it unless the mass is pulled apart in small pieces.

EGG-LAYING CONTESTS

Taranaki Society’s Results

Following are the results for the fourteenth week, ended June 29, of the .Taranaki Egg-laying Competition Society's eleventh competition: — White Leghorns. —Cotswold Poultry Farm, 3-20, 5-40, 0-15. Mrs. J. Tippett, 0-01. 5-70, 4-08. Mrs. A. W. Revell, 0-54, 7-82, 0-23. C. Hausen, 0-50, 5-76, 7-74. Sunny River Poultry Farm, 5-64, 0-28, 0-20. A. A. Iloare, 6-68, 5-58, 4-33, J T Hopwood, 5-27, 3-42, 6-77, o-64. 0-19, 7-88. F. S. Allen, 0-2*4, 5-68, 6-84. Mrs. D. Cottell, 0-9. 0-50, 0-19. Russell Harrison, 4-71, 5-08, S. R. J. Moore, 5-74, 5-70. R. M. Smith, 5- 3-53. Mrs. J. Philip, 5-36. Whenuapal Poultry Farm, 6-80. Miss H. Ladd, 1-56. J. Hurley, 0-10, Mrs. R. R. Cannon, 4- Millar Bros., 4-70. G. Clark, o-76. D. M. Peck S-« 54. Brown Leghorns.—W. B. Bublitz, 2-37, 0-43, 5-23. o Black Minorcaa.—Miss D. bwauling. 0-00. Ancouas.—Mrs. J. McNeil, 5-45. Langshans.—S. T. Bason, 6-82, 6-84, 0,-oe. Black Orpingtons.—Norman Russ, :>-•><, 6- 0-10. Tboe. Dowt-hwalte,’4-62. Stan. Cloke, 0-44. Mrs. A. Patterson. 5-04. Miss E. Ladd, 2-2. C. Cousens, 5-70. Australorps.—Mrs. H. Moreland, 7-B<. 5- 4-32. W. A. Larsen, 4-48, 4-04, 4-34. J. H. Hurdle, 3-80, 3-73, 6-07. 8. R. J. Moore, 5-00. Rhode Island Rod—J. H. button, 3-84. 0-63, 6-56. Mrs. B. Hickman, 6-72 o-.uJ, 0-17. Geo. A. Edge, 6-03, 0-lu, 5-2t>. J. Rue'Sussex.—ll. Kirkwood, 5-62, 0-19, °' d " HUCKS.

Khaki Campbell.—C. Cousens, 5-62, 7-92, White Campbell.—Mrs. K. Kelly. 7-86, 0-70, 7-93. Fawn and White Indian Kuuner.—Mrs. A W. Revell, 7-38, 7-79, 0-47. Mrs. L. Kelly, 6-76. ■

Massey College Results — I'’ulluwiug am the results, fur the fourteenth week of the egg-laying contest lie--1 lug conducted at Massey College:— SIMILE PENS. ! Section B.—Mrs. K. Wlllers, 8.0. (U), SS; W. A. Larsen, A.U. (“I, 85: L. M u “ o ”’ i R.1.R., No. 3, (6.1. 83; S. M kluson, 1 .Lb. I (6l S 3; E. IL Berger, 8.0. (<), 7-, L. i Mason, R.1.U., No. 1,, 71 I T. Bason, Lang No 1 <6), 61); S. I. Bason, Lang, No. i 3 C’l ’69; Mrs. M. M. Chapman, W.W. (i»), 60 k Mullins, R.I.R. (71, 50; T. DowI tlnvalte, 8.0. (3), 51; S T. Bason, Lang. I No. 2 (0), 19; J. D. Rowlands, R.I.R. (0), I 41. SECTION A. I F. S. Allen, W.L., No. 4 (<i). 90; F. Ecob, I W L No. 2 (6), 85; J. A. Annan, W.L. (b[, I 82- F. S. Allen, IV.L., No. 3 (tl), 81; A. I Mumby, W.L., No. 2 (6), 81; Ancona Stud 1 PF W L (6i, 80; A. G. Mumby, W.L. No. I 3 mi 76; F. S. Allen, W.L., No. 2 (a) 7.>; I F. S.'Allen, IV.L„ No. 1 (5), 73; A. G. MumI by, W.L., No. 1 (71, 73; Mrs. M M. ChapI man W.L., No. 1 (6). 71; T. E. Ker, W.L., No 2 (5), 7t; W. F. Stent, W.L., No. 2 (6), 65; A. G. Mumby, W.L., No. 4 (0), 04; Mrs M. M. Chapman, W.L., No. 2 (5), W, ' il. Polson, W.L. (5), 62; P. Min (5) 61; F.. Ecob. W.L.. No. 1 (1). .Ml, A A. Itaare'. W.L., No. 2 (0), M; F Eeob, \V L. No. I (s>, 47; IV. F. Stent, «.!.» N<>1 (.">)’ ill’ F. Eeob, W.L., No. 3 (5), 43- A. k. Iloare, W.L.. No. 1 (0) 42; W F S-ent. W.L., No. 3 (3), 23; T. E. Ker, M .L., No. 1 ,3) ’ 13r ' TEAMS RESULTS.

(<! J.’ Mol'd, W.L.: 71, 75, 70, 71, 78, 61 (32)’, V. Farm, W.L.: 63, 48r. 70, 09, 7 '’f 7 Ecobk WJa : 85, 14r, 56, 73, 65. 67.(28), r., replace bird.

THREE-BIRD TEAMS: LIGHT BREEDS. Total 1 *> Weekly to 3 Ttl. date Cotswold P.F., W.L. ... I) n 0 8 75 Mrs. J. Tippett, W.L. .. (I 4 la 208 Mrs. A. W. Revell, W.L. 0 7 0 7,- 15V 0. Lian sen, W.L 0 ■ J 7 12 .211 Sunny River P.E., W.L. A. A. Hoare, ..W.L. ... c 0 u 4 15 13u J. T. Hazel wood, No. 1 14 .1-10 W.L. o o 0 J. T. Hazelwood, No. 2 12 171 W.L. 11 0 K. S. Allen, W.L 0 5 11 11 17G Mrs. D. Cottell, W.L. .. 0 0 0 0 IB W. E. Bublitz, B.L 0 o 7" 103 HEAVY BREEDS. S. T. Bason. Lang G c 6 IS 221 Norman Ross, 15.0 5 6 0 11 131 Mrs. II. Moreland, Aus. . 7 •> 4 1G 1VG IV. A. Larsen, Aus 4 4 4 12 130 J. II. Hurdle, Aud 3 3 G 12 220 II. Sutton, R.I.R 3 0 « 0 203 .Mrs. B. Hickman, R.I.R. 0 ,) 0 11 178 Geo. A. Edge, R.I.R. ... 6 0 11 103 H. Kirkwood, U.S u 0 0 5 IbJ DUCKS. 7 5 .17 222 Mrs.°E. Kelly, W.C. ... 7 0 2 14 240 Mrs: A. W. Revell. I.R. 7 7 0 14 131

Section D. _ rt W. A. Larsen, A.O.: 80, 93, 85, G5, So, 80 (: g'.’ A*.'Edge, K.I.R.: SI), 82, 73, 88, 52. 85 ‘ E.’ \y. Stephenson, A.O.: 85, 81, 74, 5*. 70. C, I?g: Hooper, B.O.: MJ, 53, 07, 73, 88, 03 ( 'Mis8 ! E. T. Somer, R.I.B.! 54, 31, 50, 00, 73. 17 (23), 324. Section C. , E. S. Allen. W.L.: 78, 78. 70. 80, 8? 71 (35). IS2. , t .j. Wilson. W.L.: <•!. “ 7b 0 l i| ) 'A l .' , Lueu«, W.H.; 83, 70, 78, 53r, 77, 73,